Americans in World Cup spotlight (vid)

MIster Big immediately drew the attention of the World Cup spotlight with his tough victory in the $332,000 US Pacing Championship at the Meadowlands last weekend.

Stopping the clock in a rate of 1:48.4, Mister Big held off Artistic Fella in a great finish to what was one of the undercard races on Hambletonian day.

Such a high-profile pacer competing in Australia would no doubt create headlines not only in industry-related press, but the mainstream media too!

Artistic Fella is a current world record holder as well, adding further fuel to what could potentially turn out to be a media frenzy.

MIster Big - 2008 US Pacing Championship

With a delegation of Australians trackside to witness the feat, they were immediately of the opinion that the World Cup, to be staged at Menangle Park, would be boosted significantly with the inclusion of the first two placegetters.

The World Cup organising committee are aiming to attract the upper echelon of North America's pacing talent, not only for the World Cup, but for the Watpac Inter Dominion championships also.

With the committee meeting by teleconference earlier in the week, it was elected that they pursue the connections of Mister Big and Artistic Fella as their primary invitees for the two million dollar events.

"The main focus on conducting the Inters, and in the process the World Cup, is to pit the best worldwide against each other," NSW Harness Racing Club Chief Executive, John Dumesny said.

Therefore, we will be making every effort to attract the top stars.

"Included in this group are Mister Big, Artistic Fella, Won The West, Mr Feelgood and Total Truth.

It has always been our objective to run this event successfully, therefore, to look further afield at invitations at this stage could mean that our ideals would not be reached."

The World Cup field will be made up of eight runners.

Two invitees will represent North America, New Zealand and Australia, with the final two spots to be made up of horses that competed in the Watpac Inter Dominion championships.

The event, which is the brainchild of harness racing devotee and millionaire businessman Kevin Seymour, is scheduled to be run in April 2009 after the conclusion of the Inter Dominion.